Riverwater Partners, an investment management company, released its “Micro Opportunities Strategy” Q3 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The strategy reported solid absolute returns in the quarter but lagged the benchmark as it did not keep pace with the strong rally. The strategy continues to focus on quality companies in the volatile environment. In addition, you can check the fund’s top 5 holdings to determine its best picks for 2025. In its third-quarter 2025 investor ...

Core Insights - The U.S. stock indices showed positive performance on December 11, 2025, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average reaching new closing records following a quarter-point interest rate cut by the U.S. central bank on December 10, leading investors to favor equities sensitive to rate cuts over tech stocks [1][2]. Investment Recommendations - Investors are advised to consider low-leverage stocks as safe-haven securities amid concerns over overvalued AI-centric tech stocks. Recommended companies include Casey's General Stores (CASY), Hamilton Insurance Group (HG), Northrip Bancorp (NRIM), REV Group (REVG), and Engie (ENGIY), which exhibit low leverage and stability during market volatility [2][10]. Understanding Leverage - Leverage involves borrowing capital for operational and business expansion, typically through debt financing. While debt can facilitate growth, excessive reliance on it poses risks, especially if returns do not exceed interest costs. Therefore, selecting companies with low debt is crucial for minimizing investment risks [4][5][6]. Debt-to-Equity Ratio Analysis - The debt-to-equity ratio is a key metric for assessing a company's financial risk, with lower ratios indicating better solvency. As the third-quarter 2025 earnings season concludes, investors should focus on stocks with solid earnings growth and low debt-to-equity ratios to ensure steady returns [7][9]. Stock Selection Criteria - A comprehensive screening process for selecting low-leverage stocks includes criteria such as: - Debt/Equity ratio lower than the industry median - Current price of at least $10 - Average 20-day trading volume of 50,000 or more - Positive earnings growth compared to the industry median - VGM Score of A or B, combined with a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) [11][12][13]. Company Performance Highlights - **Casey's General Stores (CASY)**: Reported a 3.3% increase in same-store sales and a 14% rise in earnings for Q2 fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts a 9.6% revenue increase and an 11.8% earnings improvement for fiscal 2026, with a Zacks Rank of 2 [14][15]. - **Hamilton Insurance Group (HG)**: Achieved a 16.5% increase in net premiums and improved operating earnings to $1.20 per share from $0.16 in Q3 2024. The Zacks Consensus Estimate forecasts a 20.9% revenue increase and an 8.5% earnings rise for 2025, holding a Zacks Rank of 1 [16][17]. - **Northrip Bancorp (NRIM)**: Completed a $60 million private placement to support growth initiatives. The Zacks Consensus Estimate anticipates a 29.6% revenue increase and a 51.5% earnings rise for 2025, with a Zacks Rank of 1 [18][19]. - **REV Group (REVG)**: Reported a 13% increase in net sales and a 62.7% rise in adjusted EPS for Q4 fiscal 2025. The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests a 7.3% revenue increase and a 30.4% earnings rise for fiscal 2026, with a Zacks Rank of 2 [20][21]. - **Engie (ENGIY)**: Announced the financial closure of its first offshore wind farm in Poland, with a total planned capacity of up to 390 MW. The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a 31.8% earnings improvement for 2025, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 [22][23].

Group 1: Roku - Roku is the leading TV streaming platform provider in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Roku's current year earnings increased by 83.3% over the last 60 days [1] - Roku's shares gained 8% over the last three months, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 4.5% [2] Group 2: Northrim BanCorp - Northrim BanCorp is a full-service commercial bank offering a complete range of personal and business banking services, with a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Northrim BanCorp's current year earnings increased by 6.4% over the last 60 days [2] - Northrim BanCorp's shares gained 6.5% over the last three months, also outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 4.5% [3] Group 3: Electromed - Electromed manufactures, markets, and sells products that provide airway clearance therapy to patients with compromised pulmonary function, holding a Zacks Rank 1 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Electromed's current year earnings increased by 2.9% over the last 60 days [3] - Electromed's shares gained 28.3% over the last three months, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 4.5% [4]

Core Insights - Five stocks have been added to the Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) List, indicating strong potential for investment Group 1: Company Performance - Roku (ROKU) is the leading TV streaming platform provider in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings increasing by 83.3% over the last 60 days [1] - AvePoint (AVPT), a data management solutions provider, has seen its Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings increase by 18.5% over the last 60 days [1] - eToro Group Ltd. (ETOR), engaged in trading and investing, has experienced an 8% increase in its Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Northrim BanCorp (NRIM), a full-service commercial bank, has seen a 6.4% increase in its Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - OptimizeRx (OPRX), which provides platforms to help patients afford and comply with healthcare products, has seen a 6% increase in its Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days [3]

Core Viewpoint - Small-cap stocks in the Russell 2000 present significant investment opportunities, but they also come with higher risks and challenges compared to large-cap stocks [1][2]. Group 1: Stocks to Sell - **Frontdoor (FTDR)**: - Market Cap: $4.00 billion - Trading at $50.03 per share, equivalent to 13x forward P/E [3][5]. - **Northwest Bancshares (NWBI)**: - Market Cap: $1.75 billion - Trading at $11.69 per share, equivalent to 0.9x forward P/B [6][8]. Group 2: Stock to Watch - **Boot Barn (BOOT)**: - Market Cap: $5.71 billion - Projected revenue growth of 13.7% for the next 12 months indicates potential market share gains [9][12]. - Same-store sales growth averaged 2.9% over the past two years, reflecting elevated demand for brick-and-mortar locations [11][12].

Financial Highlights - United Community Bank reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.70 (GAAP) and $0.75 (operating) in 3Q25[12] - The bank's return on assets (ROA) was 1.29% (GAAP) and 1.33% (operating) in 3Q25[12, 14] - The net interest margin (NIM) increased by 8 bps to 3.58% in 3Q25[12, 44] - Tangible book value (TBV) per share increased to $21.59, a 10% year-over-year improvement[12] Balance Sheet - Total assets reached $28.1 billion, with total deposits at $24.0 billion and total loans at $19.2 billion[10] - Customer deposits grew by $58 million from 2Q25, or 10% annualized[24] - Loan growth was $254 million, or 54% annualized[30] - The bank's CET1 RBC ratio stood at 134%[10, 41] Income Statement - Noninterest income increased to $432 million[47] - The operating efficiency ratio improved to 531%, driven by higher revenue growth[14, 55] Credit Quality - Net charge-offs were $77 million, representing 016% of average loans[60] - The allowance for credit losses (ACL) stood at $228276 million, with an ACL to loans ratio of 119%[61]

Group 1 - Community Heritage Financial, Inc. declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share on its common stock, payable on August 8, 2025, to shareholders of record on August 1, 2025 [1] - Community Heritage Financial, Inc. is the parent company of Middletown Valley Bank, which offers personal and business banking services, as well as mortgage lending through its subsidiary, Millennium Financial Services, Inc. [2] - Middletown Valley Bank has been operating since 1908 and currently has offices in Frederick, Washington, Garrett counties in Maryland, and Franklin County in Pennsylvania [2]